Disposable syringe kit

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a disposable syringe kit in which a nozzle portion is detachably attached to an end closure member having a tubular portion and a cap portion. A flexible bag is packed in collapsed form and has an open or openable end that is sized for mounting on the tubular portion. In disassembled array in the kit, the syringe parts may be packaged in a decorative case, carton, plastic bag, or the like for shipping and/or dispensing, as by means of a vending machine. After assembly and use, the complete unit or merely the bag component may be disposed of, as desired.

United States Patent Sneider July 1, 1975 [54] DlSPOSABLE SYRINGE KIT2,524,02l 9/l950 Rigby et a1. 215/]! E 2,664,893 l/l954 Kem l 1 1 .1128/232 [76] Inventor: Vincent R. Snelder, 3422 Hallcrest 3.47438810/1969 g at 128,232 X Atlanta. 30319 1495.706 2/1970 Sokolic 206/l7.5ux [22] Filed, Nov 6 1972 3,693,783 9/1972 Hart 206/175 21 A l. N .1304115 1 pp 0 Primary Examiner-Leonard Summer Related US. Application Data[63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 153,885, June [6 I97 I abandoned,which is a continuation of Ser. No. ABSTRACT 795.574, Jan. 3|. 1969.abandoned, said Ser. No. This invention relates to a disposable syringekit in 795574 is acontinualion'ifl-pan Ofser- 704.101 which a nozzleportion is detachably attached to an abandonedend closure member havinga tubular portion and a 52 us. Cl. 206/229; 128/232; 128/251; p P Aflexible bag iS Packed in Collapsed form 20 3 4 and has an open oropenable end that is sized for 51 C 3 5 79/00; 1 3/ A61, 7/02 mountingon the tubular portion. In disassembled [58] Field of Search 206/175,69, 229, 364; array m the the Syringe parts y be Packaged in l28/232,251; 2l5/I1 E a decorative case, carton. plastic bag, or the like forshipping and/or dispensing, as by means of a vending [56] ReferencesCited machine. After assembly and use, the complete unit or UNITEDSTATES PATENTS merely the bag component may be disposed of, as desired.2,3l3,5l2 3/1943 Brewer 206/6312 R I 2,508.48l 5/1950 Allen 2l5/ll E 9Claims, ll Drawing Flgures DISPOSABLE SYRINGE KIT This application is acontinuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 153,885, filedJune 16, 1971 (now abandoned); said copending application is acontinuation of my application Ser. No. 795,574, filed Jan. 31, 1969(now abandoned), and said Ser. No. 795,574 was a continuation-in-part ofmy original application, Ser. No. 704,105, filed Feb. 8, 1968 (nowabandoned).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The field of artto which this invention pertains is found generally in the class ofSurgery and more particularly in the subclass of douches and even moreparticularly in the subclass of vaginal douches.

2. Description of the Prior Art Vaginal douche devices, and syringes ingeneral, are well known in the art and commerce and are exemplified bymany patents both United States and foreign. In particular, severalpatents represent attempts to provide a syringe which may be folded,rolled or disassembled to form a small assemblage for packaging andtransport. Many of these syringes are intended for a one-time use, thenfor discarding of the apparatus. However, these various syringes havenot proved commercially acceptable for many reasons, among which are:the syringe is too complicated to assemble and use; the syringe does notprovide means for increasing or decreasing the pressure by manualcontrol by the user; and the syringe does not lend itself to the use ofmodern materials for the best sanitary presentation for use by the user.It is contemplated that the apparatus of this invention may be readilysterilized and that when the package is opened for use that it may bereadily filled, assembled and provide manipulative control by the user.

The particular prior art which relates to the present invention is bestrepresented in US. Pat. No. 2,925,084 to Brewer of Feb. 16, 1960 and inUS. Pat. No. 3,144,866 to Ellis of Aug. 18, 1964. In the device ofBrewer there is no provision, except for gravity, of any regulation ofthe pressure of the fluid from the nozzle. In Ellis the preassembly ofthe filler plug to the bag and the locking of the nozzle to the plug israther a complicated process The simple packaging arrangement and easeof assembly of the syringe of this invention as well as its simpleinexpensive construction, represent a significant contribution to theart.

The disposable apparatus as exemplified in the drawing and in thedescription which follows includes a nozzle portion, either unitary orformed in sections, which is preferably formed by present moldingtechniques to provide an inexpensive and aesthetically acceptable andmedically proved inserting member. This nozzle is shaped at itsconnecting end so as to be readily assembled in a fluid-tight manner toa forward end closure or cap member. This cap is formed so as to engageand retain a collar, which collar is disposed to slidably receive aflexible bag within which the fluid forming the bulk portion of thedouche application is poured. In the specification and drawing there areshown a number of exemplifications of means for attaching the nozzle tothe cap portion. Each of these methods is representative of the assemblyease contemplated for this apparatus.

The flexible bag is preferably a cylindrically shaped tubular memberhaving an open and closed end. The open end is mounted on or slidable ona collar or sleeve having an expanded diameter portion. The cap and thecollar are constructed and sized to retain the bag the rebetween. Theengagement of the cap to the collar may be by a snap rim or by a threador wedge fit.

It is an object of this invention to provide a disposable douche syringein which the several members may be arrayed in a disassembled conditionfor packaging in a minimal space box or bag, said syringe disposed forready assembly and use by the user.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a disposable douchesyringe in which a nozzle is attached to an end closure or cap member.The syringe includes a flexible bag of generally tubular constructionhaving one end closed and the other end sized to be slidable on theouter surface of a collar member, the bag and collar member being thenan assembly mountable in the retaining rim of the cap member.

Intent of the Disclosure Although the following disclosure offered forpublic dissemination is detailed to insure adequacy and aid in theunderstanding of the invention, this is not intended to prejudice thatpurpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept thereinno matter how it may later be disguised by variations in form oradditions of further improvements. The claims at the end hereof areintended as the chief aid toward this purpose, as it is these that meetthe requirements of pointing out the parts, improvements andcombinations in which the inventive concepts are found.

There has been chosen a specific embodiment of the disposable douchesyringe and modifications of the nozzle and cap member as adapted foruse therewith. This specific embodiment and the alternate embodimentsthereof have been chosen for the purposes of illustration anddescription as shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view, partly insection, showing a disposable douche syringe of this invention in anassembled condition;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view, partly in section, in which is shown onearrangement of assembly of the nozzle to a cap or end closing member ofthe syringe;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view, partly in section, in which is shown ascrew thread method of attaching the nozzle to the cap or end closingmember of the syringe;

FIG. 4 is yet another exploded side view, partly in section, in which isshown a tapered socket and end assembly of the nozzle to the cap or endclosing;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a kit package of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an openably sealed bag contained in thekit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view in perspective showing separatedsubassemblies made from the kit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the regionof engagement of the subassemblies of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another kit package;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a still further kit package;and

FIG. II is a fragmentary side view of a syringe assembled from the kitof FIG. 10, partly broken away and in section.

DESCRIPTION OF A FIRST EMBODIMENT In the following description and inthe claims various details will be identified by specific names forconvenience. The names, however, are intended to be generic in theirapplication. Corresponding reference characters refer to like membersthroughout the several figures of the drawings.

The drawings accompanying, and forming part of, this specificationdisclose certain details of construction for the purpose of explanationof the broader as pects of the invention, but it should be understoodthat structural details may be modified in various respects withoutdeparture from the concept and principles of the invention and that theinvention may be incorporated in other structural forms than shown. Inparticular in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a one-piece nozzle which isremovably mountable into a cap or end closure member 12 which isdisposed to engage and retain a flexible bag 14 in a fluid-tightcondition as it, the bag, is gripped between the cap and a collar orsleeve member 16.

In particular, it is to be noted that the nozzle 10 is preferably moldedof plastic such as polypropylene, polyethylene and the like. The nozzleis formed with a hollow portion which extends from an inner open end 22to a discharge closed end 24. Positioned near end 24 and extending fromthe interior 20 to the outside of the nozzle are a plurality of ports25. These ports provide means for directing and carrying the flow offluid from the nozzle during the time of use. This nozzle is ofconventional construction and configuration to conform to acceptablemedical practice and use. As shown in the drawing, the nozzle iscontemplated to be a generally full size representation ofa preferredconfiguration. It is to be noted that the nozzle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2include a shoulder portion 26 which is adapted to engage a gasket 28 ofrubber and the like and having a sufficient resiliency to act as a fluidsealing means when this shouldered end of the nozzle is inserted intothe cap 12. As particularly seen in FIG. 2, the entering end 22 of thenozzle includes a reduced portion 30 which extends from shoulder 26 to aslightly larger tapered collar portion 32.

Referring now in particular to the cap 12, it is to be noted that thecenter portion of the cap has a collar retaining sleeve portion 36. Thebore of the sleeve portion is tapered to accept the end 32 of thenozzle. The rightward end of the bore is sized to pass the largest partof the collar 32 while the leftward end of the bore is sized to snuglyengage reduced portion 30. This retaining sleeve has relieving slots 38formed in the left portion thereof and an outward shoulder engagingportion 40 which is spaced and shaped so as to engage the inner end ofthe collar portion 32 when the nozzle is inserted in the cap 12. Theouter portion of the cap 12 has a tubular extending portion or flange 41terminating with an inwardly extending lip 42 which is disposed toengage an annular outward extending portion 44 formed in the collarmember 16. The cap is preferably made of a plastic material which issufficiently rigid to retain the tapered collar 32 and annular portion44. The material is also sufficiently flexible to snap over the annularportion 44 or as spring finger members of the sleeve 36 are deflectableto pass the collar 32 and to then spring into retaining engagement withthe inner shoulder of the tapered collar 32. Also, for ease ofmanipulation with respect to the member 16, the axial extent of thetelescoped part of the flange 41 is in the order of one half, or less,of the axial extent of member 16.

The bag 14 is preferably made of a thin plastic film which may bepolypropylene and the like and is preferably two or three thousandths ofan inch in thickness. The bag is tubular in construction and sealed atthe back end 46 and is sized so that its open end 48 is disposed toslide over the annular portion 44 of the collar 16.

Assembly And Use of The Disposable Douche Syringe of FIGS. 1 and 2 It iscontemplated that the nozzle 10, cap 12, bag 14 and gasket 28 will bepackaged in a carton or envelope so that these items may be shipped andstored as unassembled individual syringes. As an assemblable syringethese components, at the time of packaging, are sterilized so that afterpurchase the user may open the package and have a douche syringehygienically ready for assembly and use. As contemplated, the bag 14 maybe folded flat or may be accordion pleated for packaging and storage ina minimum of space. The bag may be rolled if desired, and in certaincircumstances may be used as the package means for the other memberscomprising the syringe assembly. It is only necessary that at the timeof assembly the bag be opened so that end 48 may be slid over the leftportion of the collar 16 and forwardly over the annular ring portion 44.It is, of course, to be noted that the bag 14 may now be filled with thedesired amount of water or a solution of water and a medicant or thelike as determined by the preference of the user and/or the manufacturerof the device. After the filling of the bag 14 and with the end of thebag 14 forwardly of the annular portion 44 of the collar member 16, thecollar and bag are brought to the lip 42 of cap 12 which is then snappedinto the position of FIG. 1. As thus assembled, the bag 14 is retainedin a fluid-tight condition, after which the noule 10 is then brought inway of the interior portion 36 of the cap and with the rubber gasket 28in place adjacent the collar portion 26. The nozzle 10 is now pushedinto the cap 12 until it assumes the position of HO. 1 whereat the lipportion 40 has engaged the rear shoulder of the tapered portion 32 tocam the nozzle 10 into a fluid-tight condition. Thus assembled andfilled. the syringe is ready for use. The syringe is used in thecustomary manner and after the fluid in the bag 14 has been expelled bygrasping and squeezing of the bag by the user or by an attendant, thesyringe is discarded. If desired, the cap 12 is removed from the collar16 and the nozzle 10 may be removed from the cap 12 so that the contentsmay be wrapped in the bag and discarded. On occasion, only the bag 14 isdiscarded. At a later time, a new bag 14 may be placed upon collar 16and the syringe filled and reassembled for use.

In general, it should be noted that in FIG. 1, as for the other forms tobe described, the bore diameter of sleeve or collar member 16 issufficiently generous to readily admit the collapsed bag 14 and one ortwo fingers, so that finger pressure in the course of stuffing an almostdepleted bag 14 into member 16 may force the dispensing of substantiallyall the liquid contents of bag 14; in practice a sleeve bore of 1.75inches diameter and 2.0 inches length has been found to be highlysatisfactory. Description of the Embodiment of FIG. 3

Referring next to FIG. 3, a nozzle 50, which is similar to nozzle 10,has its inner end threaded at 52 so as to engage a threaded portion 54in an end cap 58 which is similar in construction to the cap 12. Cap 58has an inner lip 42 which is sized to engage the collar member 16 in themanner of the syringe of FIGS. 1 and 2. The bag 14 and collar 16 areassembled as above described and are fastened to cap 58. The nozzle 50has its threaded end 52 provided with the rubber gasket 28 mountedthereon and then is brought in way of the threaded opening 54, whereuponthe nozzle is rotated to threadedly engage and seat in the opening 54.After assembly, the syringe is used in the manner of the syringe of FIG.1 above.

Description of the Embodiment of FIG. 4

Referring to FIG. 4, it is to be noted that a nozzle 70, similar tonozzle 10, has a tapered end 72 formed to mate in a tapered socket 74formed in a cap 76. A nozzle and cap assembly as thus formed isfluid-tight without a gasket 28 as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thetapered end 72 is caused to enter the socket 74 and engages and seats ina frictional and sealing engagement to provide a fluid-tight retentionof the nozzle 70. The cap 76 is assembled to bag 14 and collar member 16in the manner above described, after which the syringe is used in themanner of FIG. 1 above.

It is to be noted that in certain assemblies it may be desirable thatbag 14 be attached to collar member 16 prior to packaging for shipment.When such is the case, the bag may be attached as by heat-sealing orcement. It is also noted that the cap and nozzle may be molded as asingle unit where desired.

Although the lip 42 is preferably sized and shaped so as to be snappedonto the annular portion 44, it is also contemplated that the lip andportion may be formed as compatible threads for assembly by rotating. Itis further noted that the collar portion 36, threaded portion 54 andtapered socket 74 can be formed on the cap so as to extend outwardly ofthe face of the cap as the syringe is assembled for use.

Description of the Embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 8 FIG. 5 depicts a kit ofthe invention, packaged within a case comprising a body 80 and a cover81, the latter being shown backwardly hinged, for the open condition ofthe case. Suitable locating lugs formed in the body cavity serve toposition closure and sleeve members 82-83, in preassembled relation atone longitudinal end of the body. In substantial alignment therewith, arolled-up bag package 85 is similarly retained and located,predominantly at the other end of the body. Finally, the nozzle fitting50, shown with a threaded end 52 (as in FIG. 3), is positioned in aconveniently forward location.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the bag package 85comprises one or a plurality of like openably sealed bags 14' (see FIG.6), each with its predetermined measure of water-soluble contents(suggested by stippled shading 86) for example powdery or crystalinemedicaments, appropriate as to strength, for the ultimateliquid-capacity of the assembled syringe; the contents 86 will beunderstood to be of relatively small volume, so as not to inhibitflattening of one or more bags 14', for rolled-up packaging in multiple,at 85. Bag 14' may be fabricated as a cut-off length L of flexibletubing, as of polyethylene, with one end permanently closed, as by astrong heat-sealed seam 87, and with the other end openably sealed, asby a less strongly heatsealed seam 88; preferably, the flexible tubingis so cut with respect to the seam alignments 87-88 that a substantiallygreater unsealed excess D remains beyond the openably sealed seam 88, ascompared with the excess D beyond the permanently sealed seam 87, thusfacilitating and inviting finger access to the separable panel ends89-89 for opening the bag at that end. Additionally, it is preferredthat a suitably marked indicium, such as a printed transverse bar 90 beapplied to the sealed region of bag 14, adjacent the openable seam 88,thus enabling even more clear recognition of the openable end, and alsoenabling the user to know that the opened bag has been adequatelyapplied to the sleeve member 83; the latter function will be betterunderstood in the additional context of FIGS. 7 and 8.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the sleeve 83 is seen to be slightly enlarged at aforward land 92 having integral threads 93 for removable engagement tothe threaded bore of the flange 94 of cap member 82. A seal washer orgasket 95 of yieldable plastic or elastomeric material may be retainedin cap 82, over a radial span which when assembled to sleeve 83 will bein register with the adjacent axial end of sleeve 83. Preferably, thethread arrangement of member 82-83 is characterized by a multiple pitch,and the angular extent of each of the threads 92 is such as to precludetheir angular overlap; thus, for the three-lead pitch shown, each thread93 is at least no greater than in angular extent, and the three threads93 are equally spaced (on interlaced helices), so that the cap 82 andsleeve 83 can be secured with substantially less than 120 of engagedrelative rotation. Manipulation is further aided by peripheral ribs96-97 on externally exposed parts of sleeve 83 and cap 82, and byproportioning these parts so that the axial extent of sleeve 83 is inthe order of at least twice the axial extent of the telescoped part ofthe flange of cap 82, when assembled.

In use, bag 14' is first removed from the package 85, and the openableend identified. The openable end is passed through sleeve 83, with thepanel ends 8989' beyond and adjacent the threaded land 92, whereuponends 89-89 are pulled apart to open seam 88, and the mouth of the openedbag is folded back over land 92 and into substantial overlap with theribbed exterior of sleeve 83, as shown. The correct extent of foldingback can be recognized by observing the indicium 90 against the axiallyinner end of land 92, thus assuring that threaded engagement and gasket(95) sealed engagement of the cap and sleeve will be operative on bagmaterial that has not been marred by the seam 88. Also, by substantiallyoverlapping the ends 89-89 with the ribbed exterior of sleeve 83, a firmmanual grasp can hold the bag end against the sleeve while loading withwater, and while later manipulating the loaded bag and sleeve intothreaded engagement with cap member 82. Description of the Embodiment ofFIG. 9

FIG. 9 illustrates another compact manner in which a syringe of theinvention can be packed, as in a tearable flexible envelope 98,particularly when the package is to be automatically dispensed, forexample, by a coin-operated machine.

The length L, of the package 98 is hardly longer than the length of thenozzle 10, shown by dashed lines. The width W of the package is notsubstantially greater than the outer diameter of the cap 12, plus themaximum outer diameter of the nozzle 10. The thickness T is determinedby the axial length of the collar or sleeve member 16. The bag [4 issimply folded flat, with or without the openably sealed feature of bag14'; and if bag 14 is not furnished with water-soluble concentrate 86,then the size of package 98 is not appreciably affected by including apacket 99 of water-soluble medicant within the kit of package 98. Theoverall package 98 will be understood to be sized and proportioned tofit within a standard vending-machine rectangularprismaticdispensing-unit profile.

Description of the Embodiment of FIGS. l and 11 The collar or sleeve [00illustrated in FIGS. and 11 is more elongate than those illustrated inthe previous embodiments, and a clamping ring 101 may be provided tofrictionally engage the slightly tapered outer surface of collar 100. Inthe illustration, the collar has its largest diameter in the vicinity ofthe cap 102 and its smallest outer diameter at the other end. Said otherend is closed by plug 103, for example, made of polyethylene andretained by a friction-fit engagement; th plug is only used as atemporary closing member during shipping and storage and can be disposedof upon syringe assembly. Cap member 102 has a sealing cap 104 placedover the nozzle opening, and cap 104 can also be disposed of uponsyringe assembly. Plug I03 and sealing cap 104 are provided to keep theother parts of the syringe stored within the collar 100, clean andunsoiled. A very compact package, easily stored and dispensed isobtained in this manner. The folded bag 14, with or without the sealedfeature of bag 14', may be stored within collar 100. Also shown is apacket 105 of soluble powder and sectional nozzle members 106-106.Members 106-106 can be assembled in a known manner, e.g., by screwthreads, by friction, or by snap action, as at the telescoped regiondesignated 107 in FIG. 11. Collar 100 has an outwardly extendingcircumferential bead 108 to be held by snap action within a coactingbead formation in the lip or flange of cap 104.

The kit package of FIG. 10 can be assembled for use in the mannerdescribed for FIG. I or for FIGS. 7 and 8, Le, with the open end of thebag peripherally squeezed by and sealed between coacting secured partsof the sleeve and cap members. Alternatively, the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 10 can be assembled for use as shown in FIG. 11. Plug 103 isremoved and clamping ring 101 is then slid from the outer surface ofcollar or sleeve member 100. The mouth portion of the bag 14 is thenplaced around clamping ring 101, as illustrated in FIG. 11, or in thereversed sense, namely, first into the bore of the clamping ring andthen with a portion remaining outside. The clamping ring is then slidover the outer surface until it has a sufficiently tight fit on thetapered outer surface of collar 100. The inner diameter of clamping ring101 is of a size to assure to fluid-tight holding of the bag on theouter surface. The cap 102 is then removed to fill the bag.Alternatively, the bag could be filled through the central apertureprovided for holding the nozzle portion 106.

General Remarks The material from which some of the embodiments aremanufactured has not been specifically recited. The same material can beused throughout for the various embodiments. Generally speaking, nozzle,cap and collar parts are relatively stiff, and the bag is soft and pliable, and the polyethylenes and polypropylenes are satisfactory basicmaterials.

The disposable syringe is illustrated as having a nozzle for femininehygiene. It is believed that this will be one of the main uses for thedisposable syringe. The disposable syringe can, however, be used forother purposes as well, and the plurality of openings 25 can be replacedby a single aperture placed, for example, at the tip of the nozzle. Thetip of the nozzle is illustrated as somewhat bulbous. The nozzle can,however, be tapered outwardly so that the tip has the smallest diameter.

The terms inner, outer", right, left", and the like as used in the abovedescription pertain to the assembly of the disposable syringe as shownin the drawings and do not necessarily pertain to the position orattitude in which the disposable syringe may be used and assembled.

The conception of the disposable syringe and the modifications of thenozzle as shown and described above is not limited to the examples shownbut departures therefrom may be made within the scope of theaccompanying claims and protection is sought to the broadest extent theprior art allows.

What is claimed is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a disposable syringe kit packagecontaining a flexible and readily foldable bag having fluid-retainingproperties and sized so as to be readily grasped and squeezed for theadministration of the syringe, said bag being collapsed and compactedand having an open end of predetermined size, and removably attachableend-fitting means including a tubular sleeve sized to accept andremovably retain said bag at said open end; said end-fitting meansincluding a closure with a dispensing nozzle and a circumferentialflange selectably securable in telescoped relation with only an end partof the tubular sleeve, said closure and sleeve having such acircumferentially continuous interfit when secured in sandwichedrelation to the end of the bag that a liquid-sealed connection isestablished upon such assembly; said bag comprising a length of tubularplastic material closed only at one end, thereby defining said open endat the other end of said material, said length being of generallyrectangular planiform when flattened in readiness for assembly to saidendfitting means, said bag being openably sealed at said open end andwith a predetermined sealed content of water-soluble material.

2. The article of claim I, in which said water-soluble material is amedicant of powdery particles.

3. The article of claim 1, in which the predetermined quantity ofwater-soluble material is such as to achieve a predetermined strength ofsuch material in relation to the volume of water which can be added totill the bag upon its subassembly to said sleeve.

4. The article of claim I, in which said bag carries a marking indiciumadjacent the openable seal and visible against the sleeve profile whenthe open end of the bag is drawn through the sleeve bore and folded backover the outer surface of the sleeve, whereby a person using the kit canobserve the location of such indicium and thereby know that the securedfit is correctly located with respect to the open end of the bag.

5. The article of claim 1, in which said package is sized andproportioned to substantially fit within a rectangular-prismaticprofile, whereby vending machine dispensing and/or sale is facilitated.

9 l 6. The article of claim 1, in which said package inend-fitting meansis removably securable to said clo eludes said bag as one of a pluralityof like expendable sure at an opening th fl bags m Bald package 9. Thearticle of claim I, in which said package is 7. The article of claim 6in which each said bag is openably sealed with the same predeterminedquantity of water-soluble contents.

8. The article of claim 1, in which the nozzle of said largely definedby said sleeve and closure. substantially all other parts beingcontained therein.

1. As an article of manufacture, a disposable syringe kit packagecontaining a flexible and readily foldable bag having fluid-retainingproperties and sized so as to be readily grasped and squeezed for theadministration of the syringe, said bag being collapsed and compactedand having an open end of predetermined size, and removably attachableend-fitting means including a tubular sleeve sized to accept andremovably retain said bag at said open end; said end-fitting meansincluding a closure with a dispensing nozzle and a circumferentialflange selectably securable in telescoped relation with only an end partof the tubular sleeve, said closure and sleeve having such acircumferentially continuous interfit when secured in sandwichedrelation to the end of the bag that a liquid-sealed connection isestablished upon such assembly; said bag comprising a length of tubularplastic material closed only at one end, thereby defining said open endat the other end of said material, said length being of generallyrectangular planiform when flattened in readiness for assembly to saidend-fitting means, said bag being openably sealed at said open end andwith a predetermined sealed content oF water-soluble material.
 2. Thearticle of claim 1, in which said water-soluble material is a medicantof powdery particles.
 3. The article of claim 1, in which thepredetermined quantity of water-soluble material is such as to achieve apredetermined strength of such material in relation to the volume ofwater which can be added to fill the bag upon its subassembly to saidsleeve.
 4. The article of claim 1, in which said bag carries a markingindicium adjacent the openable seal and visible against the sleeveprofile when the open end of the bag is drawn through the sleeve boreand folded back over the outer surface of the sleeve, whereby a personusing the kit can observe the location of such indicium and thereby knowthat the secured fit is correctly located with respect to the open endof the bag.
 5. The article of claim 1, in which said package is sizedand proportioned to substantially fit within a rectangular-prismaticprofile, whereby vending-machine dispensing and/or sale is facilitated.6. The article of claim 1, in which said package includes said bag asone of a plurality of like expendable bags in said kit package.
 7. Thearticle of claim 6 in which each said bag is openably sealed with thesame predetermined quantity of water-soluble contents.
 8. The article ofclaim 1, in which the nozzle of said end-fitting means is removablysecurable to said closure at an opening thereof.
 9. The article of claim1, in which said package is largely defined by said sleeve and closure,substantially all other parts being contained therein.